Highlands County voters have elected Kari Gurganus Pritchett to the School Board’s District One seat and Andy Tuck to District Five. In Avon Park, Brenda Gray Snell defeated incumbent Garrett Anderson for mayor, while Maria Sutherland won a city council seat. Unofficial results show voter turnout at nearly 62 percent, with more than 32-thousand ballots cast. Election results remain subject to certification.
South Florida State College employees will receive salary increases beginning December first. The District Board of Trustees unanimously approved a one-thousand-dollar increase for eligible full-time employees and up to five hundred dollars for part-time employees. The board also approved a one-time salary increase to help employees cope with inflation and rising living costs.
Frostproof City Council has rejected a proposal to rezone nearly 49 acres of farmland along North Scenic Highway for rural residential development. The four-to-one vote followed objections from eight residents. The land will remain designated for agricultural use, as council members cited concerns about preserving the community’s rural character and maintaining a transparent development process.
Two local food drives are helping Highlands County families this Thanksgiving. Pepper Natural Health and Nu-Hope Elder Care are accepting non-perishable food donations through November 11th at Pepper Natural Health on Alternate U.S. 27 South. Call 863-386-4325 for office hours. Meanwhile, Sun ‘N Lake is collecting pantry staples through November 13th at three locations, including its district office, recreation office and Island View Restaurant and Pub. Donations will benefit local food banks and pantries.